Zoom link: https://bit.ly/354KXfD
Even though, you could use this zoom link to participate in the event, Robert's wife Sandra would like to know who have attended. Could you please email your name to info@SadhanaMe.com?
Robert Myers was a flute player and percussionist, composer, arranger, multi-instrumentalist, recording artist, and producer. He participated in devotional music for 45 years. He has played harmonium and sung the Cosmic Chants of Yogananda for Self Realization services, drummed for Sufi Dhikrs, played flute and percussion for the Mevlevi Turn, and was a long time inner circle musician for the Dances of Universal Peace. More about Robert: http://about.me/robert.myers. He has played with kirtan bands in North East.
Robert left his body on Saturday, April 18th. Please join us to celebrate him.
We are honored that Devadas & Keshari Das, Eddy Nataraj, Shubalananda, Todd Glacy, Tamal & Shakti, Randy Lindsey, Namory Keita, Rick Cormier, Ravi, Lisa Desrosiers, Adam Bauer, Kalidasa Joseph Getter, Satya-Franche Carlson Straus, Helena Nash and Ellie Osborn will join Ashoka and share their beautiful musical talent and honor Robert.
Could you please register at info@SadhanaMe.com and receive free zoom link. We are protecting cyber security and gather a community. Thus not sharing the id and password to public.
Photo credit: Scott Snyder. Thank you, Scott.
Bios:
Devadas is a kirtaniya, composer, and songwriter hailing from Brooklyn, New York. He began singing as a teenager, performing on street corners in his hometown of Portland, Maine. After moving to New York City, he had the good fortune to meet his Guru, Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (Amma). Under Her inspiration, he has been leading kirtans at Satsangs, Yoga Studios, meditation centers, and temples all over New York, the U.S., and India. He has additionally released several albums of devotional music, including "Brooklyn Mellows", a homage to the late great kirtaniya Aindra Das, "Bhajans", a collection of traditional chants, as well as three albums of original devotional compositions, "Ocean - Songs for Amma", "Shine Shine On", and "Milton's Glen". He has also recorded pieces with luminaries such as Krishna Das and Wah. As a composer, he has collaborated with indie rocker, J Mascis, to score the soundtrack to the feature documentary, One Track Heart, the Story of Krishna Das. As a producer, he has worked with Nina Rao on her 2013 release, "Antarayaami-Knower of All Hearts". He is a wonderful person. He pronunciation of ancient mantras is authentic. You will love him and his singing. The most recent presentations of Devadas' Kirtan have been a full house.
Keshari Das is a percussionist-in-training and longtime kirtan enthusiast. As an Ayurvedic practitioner, she considers music and satsang to be sacred medicine.
Shubal is one of the premier kirtan wallahs from New England. For years, he has been sharing his practice and his stories about the Gods, Goddesses and Gurus of India. His guitar playing is both exciting and mesmerizing. Shubal's years of experience as a professional musician and sadhu, and his study with many of Indias great teachers, makes his kirtan very special. He has studied with Satya Sai Baba, Shree Maa, Karunamayi, and others, and has studied kirtan with the great Ma Chetan Jyoti. He has played for several years with Krishna Das in his band, as well as Bhagavan Das, Wah! and Dave Stringer. He is one of America's kirtan gems.
Rev. Todd Glacy is an Interfaith Minister who describes himself as an Enlightenment Advocate, Spiritual Explorer and an Instigator of Joy. He travels extensively as a speaker, musician and workshop facilitator sharing his passion for empowering people to live happier, healthier and more fulfilling lives. Todd holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Berklee College of Music in Boston and a Master’s Degree in Counseling. After working for a decade as a School Counselor, he enrolled in the Chaplaincy Institute of Maine (ChIME) where he received his ordination as an Interfaith Minister. He is a certified life coach, yoga instructor, drum circle facilitator and the creator of the Gong Journeywork™ Wisdoming process. He has recorded a number of CD’s and shares his passion of Sacred Sound and Living with spiritual and wellness focused communities and organizations throughout the US. Find out more at www.sacredsoundandlving.com
Rick Cormier is a retired Psychotherapist. He has been a musician since age 10 and released record albums and tapes during the 1970s and 80s. He has also been hosting community drum circles for more than 25 years. Rick is the author of five books, including "MIXED NUTS or What I've Learned Practicing Psychotherapy"
Master drummer, Namory Keita will play djembe. International teacher and performing artist, Namory has travelled to many places to share his culture including Germany, Poland, France, Canada, and Portugal. He has been drumming from age 7 in Guinea, West Africa.
Adam Bauer travels the globe (and now, Zoom!) sharing the heart-expanding beauty of sacred chant, healing satsang, and intimate conversation. From festivals to living rooms, Adam enchants and inspires listeners with his deep, soulful voice and presence wherever he goes. His two critically-acclaimed albums, 2014’s Shyam Lila and 2017’s Wonderville, were both released on Mantralogy Records, and his new album is slated for release in mid-2020. Adam sings and offers workshops and healing sessions worldwide.
Randy Lindsey, MMA (Master of Musical Arts), is from Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Along with tuning pianos, Randy teaches guitar, voice, and piano. He performs throughout the New England area with his six-string acoustic guitar : Jazz Standards, 60s - 70s Popular Songs, Instrumentals, Originals, Classical Guitar Pieces, and songs from Musicals, Operas, and Foreign Cultures.
Ravi and Lisa of Boston based The Solar Dynasty Band offer a traditional meditative and devotional kirtan. Together they play and collaborate with other kirtan friends and musicians throughout New England. A lifelong musician, Ravi has studied harmonium and Indian Classical music with Muralidhar Pai, son of Sadguru Sant Keshavadas, and guitar with many teachers including Jorma Kaoukonen. Lisa Desrosiers has been singing since childhood, is an acupuncturist, and studies Indian Classical voice and Dhrupad with Shuchita Rao.
Helena Nash’s musical roots reach deep into the sweet soil of music mantra and the fertile ground of the singer-songwriter. She has traveled and sung extensively in venues across the US and Canada and recorded two albums. Inspired by both the mystical and practical applications of music, Helena uses her soulful and at times "angelic" voice to create soundscapes and songs for healing, stress release, and spiritual and emotional connection. Over the years she has joined voices with Kirtan artists such as Shantala, Girish, C.C. White, David Newman (Durga Das), Sirgun Kaur, Deepak Ramapriyan, Gina Salá and others. Helena joins Swan Kirtan tonight as a guest vocalist.
Kalidasa Joseph Getter plays the venu (South Indian bamboo flute), clarinet, hand drums, and more. A creative world musician, he draws on three decades of experience in Kirtan, experimental music, Jazz, world drumming traditions, Indonesian gamelan, Indian classical music, and music for theater and dance. He is a disciple of the late musician Sri T. Viswanathan. He will play flute and clarinet.
Tamal and Shakti are a husband and wife duet who inspire many kirtan followers and musicians. They are the founders of an on going community in the Boston/ Cambridge area called Kitchari Kirtan, over 10 years conducting monthly kirtans showcasing local and national musicians dedicated to the Bhakti tradition.
Satya Franche began her singing career as a child in Montreal eventually earning two degrees in music, from Grant MacEwan, Edmonton, Alberta, and Berklee College of Music, Boston, Mass. She has worked extensively both in live performance and in the studio. In the 80's, she recorded a pop album entitled "As We Were" with her group, So Sudden. Her kirtan journey began in 2006, when she formedSatya Franche & Ma Kirtan, inspired by her mentor Krishna Das and the guidance of her Satguru, Sri Neem Karoli, and his great disciple, SiddhiMa. Satya has recorded and performed with many of today’s kirtan leaders. She has toured in India, Canada and the Northeastern States with the late Ma Chetan Jyoti, one of kirtan's great voices. Currently, Satya leads kirtan throughout the Eastern seaboard. Satya’s debut kirtan CD was released in 2009 entitled "Love is in the Name"
Ashoka was born in India and has been a devotee since his childhood. He has been leading multi-faith chants and playing harmonium since 2011, singing in the traditional Indian Raga style. Ashok has been studying with Indian classical musicians such as Sri D.V. Mohana Krishna and Grammy Nominee, Jai Uttal. As part of his spiritual path, he has led kirtan at many festivals across the country including Bhakti Fest in California, Lovelight Festival in Maryland and Maine Yoga Fest. Ashok has also led kirtan at colleges, temples in India and the US, and yoga centers such as Kripalu, Ananda Ashram and Integral Yoga Institute. In addition, he has served as a Master of Ceremonies, inspiring the audiences at all the major US kirtan festivals. He is a lead vocal singer at Swan Kirtan band. His debut album, "We are all One" is released recently and is available on cdbaby.com. You can reach him at ashok@SadhanaMe.com
Sadhana is a non-profit project serving all in realizing happiness and cultivating compassion through spiritual practices. Every Wed at 7PM, we offer free yoga, meditation, spiritual talk and kirtan by different teachers from India and the US. We need your help in growing this community. Could you please help in getting the word out? Thank you.